Page 82 of The Red Queen

“How much do I owe you?” she asked innocently, fingering the money on the counter.

“Nothing, ma’am. The room is complimentary.”

Desi blew her nose into the tissue and reached for the cash, gathering it off the counter. She handed several bills to her would-be rescuer. “You’re saving my life. Thank you.”

She took the room key and swiftly made her way down to deck three, passing rooms until she found room 327. It was cramped and had only a small window that she couldn’t easily see out of, but it was safe. She flopped onto the bed and stared up at the ceiling.

She’d done it. She’d left Giovanni.

Not permanently, she reminded herself.

She placed her hand over her belly, closed her eyes, allowing her thoughts to drift.

She was free, she could do anything, go anywhere she wanted.

Yet all she wanted was Giovanni.

She hoped he would come find her… eventually.

He might be angry, but once she explained, she was sure she could make him understand.

Chapter Thirty-Five

He should have expected it, should have known she’d eventually try to escape him. How long had she been planning it? Building his trust, giving him just enough of herself that he was hooked, blind to her flaws. Yet he hadn’t seen it coming. He thought she was in love, but he was wrong. She’d never said it. At least there was that. She hadn’t lied to him.

It ripped his guts out to think that she’d used his love for her, biding her time until she saw the perfect opportunity to leave him.

“How?” he demanded, his voice low but deadly.

Vitto and Dino stood in front of him.

Vitto was there to explain, and Dino to help organize a team to find his wayward wife.

Giovanni’s hands shook with the need to wrap his fingers around her neck and squeeze. He would squeeze until she begged his forgiveness. Until she promised never to defy him again. Until he had satisfied his anger.

She was putting his baby’s life at risk by leaving his protection. Her own life.

Then it hit him. He wasn’t angry with her; he was terrified for her.

He had to find her before something happened. She didn’t know what was out there waiting for her. He should’ve told her. If anything happened…Dios! He wanted to put his fist through the wall of his study.

“We’re still gathering information,” Vitto said in a low voice, avoiding eye contact.

“Which means you don’t know where the fuck she’s gone,” Giovanni snapped.

“I’m sorry, Signore. We’re scouring the city and checking all exit routes.” Vitto spoke swiftly and matter-of-factly. “This is my fault, Signore. I should have had her in my sights at all times.”

“Not your fault.” Though it burned his guts to admit it, Giovanni was speaking the truth. He couldn’t blame Vitto because Vitto had been following orders. “You were told to protect her from outside forces, not from herself. Your job was never to detain my wife. Had she looked you in the eye and told you she was leaving, you would have had to let her go.”

Vitto nodded, though he still looked angry and contrite. “I should have seen it coming, but I didn’t. She seemed settled, happy.”

It had been the same thing Giovanni had told himself when he learned of her disappearance, but he knew better. He couldn’t lie to himself. She tried to tell him she was afraid to have the baby, that she couldn’t do it. He’d insisted she would, regardless of her feelings.

This was his fault. If he’d listened to her, tried to ease her concerns, she might have trusted him enough to stay.

Several hours later, much of Giovanni’s anger had drained away and he was left with a sick feeling twisting his guts. This was his fault. He’d been too harsh, had driven her away.

He was still in his office, steadily going through a bottle of whiskey when Vitto knocked on the door and let himself in, followed closely by Dino.

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